When to Call a Vet
If your cat displays any behavioral anomalies, give him a careful physical exam and pay closer attention to his routine. Not even the most secretive cat can hide physical signs of injury or illness completely. Some signs may be obvious — a wound, a lump or difficulty breathing — but others can be more vague. Your cat may just not seem "right" to you.
- Taking your cat's temperature when he is showing any aberrant signs will arm you with useful information when you call your vet — and will also tell you when to call. A cat's temperature should be between 101 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 and 38.1 degrees Celsius). A slight increase may be normal but if your cat's temperature reads 105 degrees F, take him to the vet immediately. Temperatures below 100 degrees F can also signal something serious.
- Look for any radical increases or decreases in your cat's appetite or thirst.
- His bowel movements should be regular and his stools firm and consistent. If you ever see blood, worms or things that look like grains of rice in the feces, take a stool sample from the litter box, place it in a clean plastic bag and take it to your vet for testing. Constipation can also be cause for concern.
- Increased urination, usually paired with a noticeable increase in thirst, is a classic sign of several disorders, such as kidney failure or diabetes. Cloudy or bloody urine, pain or vocalization when urinating, also warrants a trip to the vet.
- Vomiting and diarrhea are common and may be caused by a simple gastric upset or could be a sign of something more serious. Constant vomiting, projectile vomiting, blood in the vomit or unproductive retching (dry heaves) may indicate a serious stomach problem. Persistent diarrhea may indicate a number of serious disorders.
- Sneezing or coughing, often accompanied by runny eyes, usually means a common cold or flu-type illness. These symptoms generally clear up within a few days, but if they persist or at any time are complicated by puslike discharges, drooling, listlessness or, especially, loss of appetite, see your vet.
- Anemia, detected by pale gums and tongue and lack of energy and appetite, is usually a sign of some other disorder. If you observe these signs in your cat, an immediate trip to the vet is warranted.
